DUTY DRIVEN

Chapter 4 Determined What compelled George Allen to leave his kin behind and join the Federal army? Was it the promise of freedom or could it have been patriotism to a nation that had allowed him to be enslaved? Did he think that he could somehow change or escape the South’s deeply rooted ideology of inequality? Perhaps it was because the three-fifths compromise rule had deprived him of his God-given rights as an individual. The three-fifths compromise was an agreement between Northern and Southern states and appeared in the United States Constitution. Slaves could not vote, and were counted as three-fifths of a person. Under the compromise, slave-holders had the benefit of increasing their representation when electing members in the House of Representatives and the President of the United States and with the distribution of taxes. George would soon realize that even though the Union government promised freedom to all Southern slaves, racial discrimination and injustices were prevalent among black troops in the Federal army. Not only were the Colored Troops commanded by white officers, but their pay was inconsistent relative to that of their white counterparts. African American soldiers received $10 per month, of which $3 was deducted for clothing. The white soldiers were paid $13 per month plus $3.50 for a clothing allowance. In June 1864, Congress passed the “equal pay” legislation that provided U.S. Colored troops receive the same benefits as the white soldiers (equal pay, supplies, rations, and medical care). The legislation was retroactive to January 1, 1864, and exempted slaves who had joined the military prior to January 1. With winter set in and fully determined to join the Federal army, George Allen braved the wet and freezing weather. Avoiding Confederate soldiers he moved inconspicuously toward Athens. Immediately after arriving there, he was assigned to Company H, of the 110th United States Colored Infantry. Despite the brutally cold temperatures and lingering rain, his physique was magnificent; Allen stood erect, raised his right hand and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. On December 10, 1863, he mustered in at Pulaski, Tennessee. From that moment on his immediate future was planned. Private Allen was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Henderson in Athens, just twelve miles from where he had been enslaved. He was different though, not a slave but a proud Negro, dressed in his Union blues with his musket in hand. He was ready to fight for his freedom. Fort Henderson was built by federal troops in 1863 and set on a strategic point atop Coleman Hill, in Athens. Approximately one mile from the square, it was considered to be the strongest Union force between Nashville, Tennessee and Decatur, Alabama. The garrison was a quarter mile in circumference surrounded by a ditch 15 feet wide and 17 feet deep. The trench was protected, encircled with fallen trees and lashed with sharp-ended wire, with sharp wooden spikes. A well inside the fort supplied water. The water, food and rations were enough to last for 10 days. The fort had a sufficient supply of ammunition, 70,000 rounds of ball cartridges and two howitzers (cannons) that were 120 rounds each. That January the rations were scarce. In the freezing rain, Company H hiked out into the nearby countryside to look for food. The bitter cold temperature plagued the entire regiment with severe frostbite. Private Allen’s feet were so badly blistered and swollen that he was unable to wear shoes for a very long while. Eight months later, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and the Tennessee Cavalry Battalion rode into Alabama with a vengeance. Forrest, a well-liked general for the Southerners, was notorious for his brutal attacks and his strategic psychological warfare. They caused much destruction tearing up railroad tracks, telegraph wires and bridges, and burning railroad cars. By taking command of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, Forrest believed that he would cut off Sherman’s supply line. In an attempt to advance on the Yankees, General Phillip D. Roddy of Moulton, Alabama, and about 900 men joined the invasion. This strategic move bolstered the rebel defense as they moved swiftly toward Limestone County near Athens. On September 23, 1864, the Rebels were involved in several fiery skirmishes. Forrest had sent about 200 to 300 men to the railroad tracks four miles from Decatur. Their assignment was to demolish Union supply lines. After hearing of the Confederate’s plan, Colonel Wallace Campbell, of the 110th Colored Troops, quickly conspired to cripple the enemy forces and protect the tracks. Major Pickens, and the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry, were rapidly dispersed to protect the Decatur railroad. Additionally, Campbell and about 150 soldiers proceeded by train toward Decatur to thwart the apparent raid. Their position was strong and the Rebel soldiers were soon caught off-guard. The joint federal forces drove off the Confederates and saved a trestle that had been set on fire. Even with their stronghold when the Union officers reached the outskirts of town, Forrest’s men edged in closer and opened fire. The fighting lasted a few hours and the Federal militia ordered a train conductor to run the train back to the blockhouse in Athens. As they returned to the post, three men were killed and four wounded. Protecting the federal garrison were soldiers from the 106th, 110th, and 111th Colored Regiments, and approximately 150 men belonging to the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry. The Yankee soldiers had a considerably hard fight and by nightfall the majority of them had retreated and returned to Athens.